'All options open' as top Australian sprinters step up Royal Ascot prep

Leading Aussie sprinters Nature Strip and Home Affairs continued their preparations for Royal Ascot when the pair competed in 900-metre jump-outs at Rosehill on Tuesday.

Both trained by Chris Waller, the duo have between them racked up ten Group 1 wins, earning connections over AU$20 million (£11.27m/€13.38m) in prize-money in the process.

"They didn't go together," Waller told RSN. "They went with other horses, a couple from our stable and a couple from other stables but they went through their motions and did everything right.

“They were held on to, they weren't pushed to run time. They went through their paces nicely. We've still got a bit of time up our sleeve, we don't want to go off too early, but at the same time we're timing our run right."

Waller plans to have the pair in England two weeks before the royal meeting saying that was the "sweet spot", while allowing room for error. He said he was banking on the horses recovering quickly from a potentially arduous journey.

"That's the key, getting them in good condition before they go, respecting they need rest, recuperation time post-trip and then if we've got a chance, some work and stretch their legs," Australia’s multiple champion trainer said.

Chris Waller: eyeing a return to Royal Ascot with his two leading sprintersCredit: Racing Photos

Waller is still to lock in which races Nature Strip and Home Affairs will run in. He is leaning towards saddling Nature Strip in the King's Stand Stakes on the opening day of the meeting, June 14, with the potential to back-up in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes four days later, a race he is leaning towards for Home Affairs.

"I want to keep all options open as things can change as to how well they travel," Waller said. "We'll keep all options with Nature Strip, he's coming back for an Everest. We want to make sure we leave something in the tank for that as well."

Nature Strip is a best-priced 5-1 with Betfred, Coral and Sky Bet for the King’s Stand, a race in which Home Affairs is rated a 16-1 shot, while the pair are disputing favouritism for the Platinum Jubilee at around the 5-1 mark.

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